Cops launch probe after more than a dozen Santa Barbara half marathon runners hospitalized with ‘unusual symptoms’
Police have launched an investigation into ‘suspicious circumstances’ after nearly 20 runners were suddenly hospitalized following Sunday’s Santa Barbara half marathon.
In a news release obtained by CBS News, the Santa Barbara Police Department confirmed they received a concerning report from a local hospital regarding multiple race participants ‘seeking medical treatment for unusual symptoms’.
Police noted that the precise cause of the widespread illness has not yet been confirmed, with runners arriving at the hospital both on their own and via ambulance.
‘There is no specific action recommended for the public at this time; however, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention,’ they said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Cottage Health revealed that 19 patients arrived at their emergency departments on Sunday morning, all suffering from similar symptoms of an undetermined cause.
‘We have a larger than expected number of emergency visits that are tracked to participants of this morning’s organized run in SB,’ the statement said.
Police have launched an investigation into ‘suspicious circumstances’ after nearly 20 runners were suddenly hospitalized following Sunday’s Santa Barbara half marathon
Police noted that the precise cause of the widespread illness has not yet been confirmed
‘This morning 19 patients arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause.’
While race organizers, who spoke with CBS LA, claimed their medical reports pointed toward heat or typical marathon exhaustion, hospital officials are still actively investigating the medical mystery.
The half marathon kicked off at 7am on Cabrillo Boulevard and continued until 11am, but the joyful atmosphere quickly deteriorated as the medical emergencies began.
More than 7,500 people participated in the race, officials said.
Authorities are now urging anyone with information regarding the bizarre string of illnesses to immediately contact the Santa Barbara Police Department as the critical probe continues.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Santa Barbara Police Department for comment.
